Laredo CBP Officers Make Clean Discovery of Methamphetamines Valued at $2.5 Million

LAREDO, TX.- U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry intercepted 79 pounds of methamphetamines that resulted in the arrest of two individuals that were allegedly attempting to smuggle the narcotics within bars of soap. The estimated value for the seized alleged narcotics is listed at approximately $2.5 million.

“Tenacious attention to detail and skilled experience is what CBP officers have to continually rely on, in order to keep up with the innovative methods that smugglers attempt to use in getting their narcotics past inspections,” said Jose R. Uribe, Acting Port Director, Laredo Port of Entry. “This seizure speaks volumes to the dedication that is inherent in CBP officers and which they use in the protection of our borders and in keeping dangerous drugs like this from reaching our communities and streets.”

The seizure occurred on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at the Lincoln-Juarez Bridge when CBP officers encountered a 2004 Dodge 2500 pickup truck being driven by a 54-year-old U.S. citizen from Mesquite, Texas. CBP officers referred the man and a male passenger, a 54-year-old Mexican citizen from Georgetown, Texas to secondary for an intensive inspection. At secondary, CBP officers conducted a closer examination of the vehicle and its baggage. The exam resulted in the discovery of four boxes containing 100 bars of soap, containing 79 pounds of alleged methamphetamines. The estimated street value for the alleged methamphetamines is listed at $2,528,000.00.
CBP officers seized the alleged narcotics and the Dodge truck. CBP officers also arrested both men (the driver and passenger) and turned them over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.